Why is internet speed still inconsistent in many Indian cities?

Question

Even though India has some of the cheapest mobile data in the world, speed and stability can still vary a lot from area to area.

Answer 1

From what many users observe, the biggest reason for inconsistent speeds is local network congestion. A single tower may be serving thousands of people, especially in dense areas where everyone is streaming or using video calls. Internet companies do upgrade infrastructure, but demand grows even faster. So, on paper the city may have 4G or 5G coverage, but the actual experience changes from neighbourhood to neighbourhood. It’s the same reason why speed improves late at night — fewer people are online.

Answer 2

Another factor is wiring quality. Many older buildings don’t have proper fibre cables, so users rely on older copper lines or hotspot connections. And even with fibre, the Wi-Fi router inside the home makes a huge difference. A lot of people still use low-range routers, which cause dead zones in their home. So the problem isn’t only the ISP — it’s a mix of infrastructure, local demand and home setup.